Repair sought for Leica A

[drako]

Howdy,

I would appreciate personal recommendations for repair for my Leica A. There are two things I am aware of that need help:

1) The aperture ring is extremely stiff to move
2) I am told there is a light leak but, because the aperture has been stiff as long as I've had the camera (~20 years), I've never put a roll through it.

This camera differs in two ways from others I've seen displayed on the web:

1) The rewind knob is smaller diameter and the arrow graphic on its top is not "double-quilled"
2) The shutter release is different than the two other designs I've seen.

Perhaps the S/N 44403 can be of some help? I will appreciate all information!

[herron]

drako:
Dan Goldberg (DAG) is reputed to be one of the better Leica repair persons around. I've never used him (never owned a Leica), but he gets the nod from a lot of folks.

The Leica Historical Society lists him, and several others.

[kiev4a]

The Leica shutter is simple and not that difficult to replace. If that has never been don't, the camera probably is long overdue. Beautiful camera with wear marks the look like badges of honor.

[doubs43]

Your Model A (I) Leica was made in 1930 and I read the serial number as 44493. By serial number, yours is nearly 90,000 newer than the one I inherited - also made in 1930 - from my father.

Walker

[drako]

1930! Great info; thanks, doubs.

By the way, does yours have the same rewind knob and shutter release?

[doubs43]

drako said:

1930! Great info; thanks, doubs.

By the way, does yours have the same rewind knob and shutter release?

Hi Drako,

The rewind knob is the same but the shutter release collar on mine doesn't come up as high as yours.

The dates for Leica camera production is found in the book "Leica THE FIRST 60 YEARS" by G. Rogliatti. There is also a book for 50 and 70 years by him. I think Leica also has a site where you can put the serial number of a camera or a lens into a box and then be told the model and year of production.

Walker

[drako]

I found the site with the S/N list here:

www.cameraquest.com/ltmnum.htm

[daveinpasadena]

I've used DAG with excellent results on similar cameras (expect to pay $180 or so). Most other experienced techs can handle this repair however. This is a simple camera and it's not rocket science.

[doubs43]

daveinpasadena said:

I've used DAG with excellent results on similar cameras (expect to pay $180 or so). Most other experienced techs can handle this repair however. This is a simple camera and it's not rocket science.

Dave, it's not quite as simple as it first appears and not all repairmen are set up to do the complete overhaul. In the course of my conversation with Mr. Maddox in NC, he explained that the small plug in the center rear of the camera body is there for the purpose of accurately setting the lens to focus at the film plane. The plug is removed, an optical device is inserted and positioned for calibrating the lens' infinity focus. This is necessary because the Model A didn't have a standard flange-to-film-plane distance established so that lenses could be interchanged.

The lens that comes with the Model A should have been factory set for that body but over the years the calibration may have changed. The adjustment may or may not be required but Mr. Maddox knows a lot more about it than I do and his experience shouldn't be arbitrarily disregarded IMO. Those who have used his services seem to think highly of him.

Walker

[daveinpasadena]

I have no idea who Mr. Maddox in NC is so I could hardly have disregarded him! I can say though that the non-specialized tech I use locally knows all about Leica film-to-flange distances. In fact he CLA'ed a similar Leica A for me recently and it worked perfectly (price $75). I found it in a thrift shop for $20.

BTW Dag actually has parts for the Leica A - I bought a replacement lens for the finder from him and the price was reasonable. He even had at that time (and may still have) some NEW Leica A parts -- pretty incredible, but true.

[doubs43]

John Maddox L&J Leica Repair 109 Royal Oak Rd. Greenville, SC 29607 [phone]

[daveinpasadena]

Thanks, I'll put him on my A list.

doubs43 said:

John Maddox L&J Leica Repair 109 Royal Oak Rd. Greenville, SC 29607 [phone]